Apparatus for applying wrappers to shoe soles



APPARATUS FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS T0 SHOE SOLES Filed Nov. 27, 1957 F. A. PEBURN July 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Frank A,Pebur'r1 July 28, 1959 UR 2,896,230

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS TQ SHOE SOLES Filed Nov. 27, 1957 .2 Sh sheet- 2 I o 1:" I I I I INVENTOR.

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS TG SHOE SOLES Frank A. Peburn, Norwalk, Conn, assignor to Style Footwear (30., Inc., South Norwalk, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application November 27, 1957, Serial No. 699,391

11 Claims. (Cl. 12- 1) The present invention relates to a machine for cementing a wrapper around the periphery of the sole of a shoe.

Heretofore, efliorts have been made to securely adhere a wrapper to the side edges of a sole of a shoe by pass ing the shoe, with the wrapper folded over the sides of the sole, through a pair of opposed rollers which pressed or squeezed the wrapper to the periphery of the sole as the shoe is passed therebetween. however, that wrappers secured in this manner do not firmly adhere to the sides of the sole and after the shoe has been flexed a number of times in the wearing thereof the wrapper breaks loose and renders the shoe unsatis-.

factory.

The present invention overcomes these difiiculties by providing a means whereby the wrapper is firmly pressed against the edges of the sole of the shoe with suflicient pressure and for a sufiicient time to firmly adhere the wrapper to the sole. Preferably, the wrapper overlying the two sides of the shoe is pressed against the sole and thereafter the toe and heel portions of the Wrapper are pressed against the toe and heel portions of the sole to secure the wrapper throughout the periphery of the sole.

A feature of the invention resides in the formation of a machine to operate on a pair of shoes in such a manner as to permit pressure to be applied for a substantial period without reducing the speed of operation of securing the wrapper to the sole.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel heel pressing means which accommodates various sizes of heels.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view, partly in section, of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view showing the pressure blocks removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional Fig. 5.

view taken along line 4-4 of I have discovered,

2,896,236 Patented July 28, 1 959 is mounted on a last 16 is then inserted into the machine of the present invention to firmly secure the wrapper to the edges of the sole.

While a single unit may be employed, it is at present preferred to provide the machine with means for operating on a pair of shoes, inasmuch as in production the shoes are fed to the operator in pairs, and to control the means in such a manner that while one shoe is being inserted into position the pressure is being maintained on the other shoe, thus utilizing the interval of time to insert one shoe in position to maintain the pressure on the sides of the other shoe and thereby obtain firm adhesion between the wrapper and edge of the sole with a minimum of time for the operation.

In accordance with the present invention the wrapper is pressed against the sides of the sole for the full length thereof and is also pressed against the toe and heel. While this may be accomplished in a single station, for the purpose of clarity and for the purpose of increasing the speed of operation of the machine, it is illustrated as being carried out at two stations mounted side by side on an elongated base 20. The first station is indicated at 21 in the left of Fig. 1 and comprises a fixed center member 22 secured to the base having on each face thereof contoured pressing faces 23, 24 shaped to engage the inside edges of a pair of shoes. Also mounted on the base in spaced relation to the center member is a pair of side members 25, 26 having contoured pressing faces 27, 28 adapted to engage the outside edges of a pair of shoes. The pressing faces are preferably formed of resilient material such as sponge rubber so as to conform to any irregularity in the side edge of the shoe sole and apply a uniform pressure therealong.

The outside members are connected to pressure applying means 30 for moving the members into engagement with the sides of a pair of shoes to press the wrapper against the side edges of the soles thereof.

While the pressure applying means may be in the form of cams, screws, or other pressure producing devices, in the herein illustrated form of the invention they are shown as fluid pressure cylinders 31 having a piston 32 therein which is normally held in retracted position by a spring 33. The side member is pivotally connected by pivot 34 to the piston rod 32a operating in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the center member so as to apply a uniform pressure to the edges of the shoe positioned between the center member and side member to securely adhere the Wrapper to the side edge of the shoe for the full length thereof. Although the cylinders can be operated simultaneously, it is at present preferred to provide a control whereby the cylinders are operated alternately so that while one cylinder is in re- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the side pressure blocks in pressing relationship.

Fig. 6 shows the hold-down means for Station 1. Fig. 7 shows the hold-down means for Station 2. As shown in the drawings, the shoe comprises an upper 10 which is sewn at its lower edge to an insolell and also tracted position to receive a shoe between the pressing faces, the other cylinder is in pressure-applying position. One method of accomplishing this is to provide a tiltable actuator, such as a pedal 35 as shown in Fig. 1, which is connected to a valve 36 so that when the pedal is in horizontal position the valve is located in a neutral position whereby both cylinders are disconnected from pressure supply P and are connected to the exhaust ports E and are in retracted position. The operator then steps on the pedal to tilt it to first one side and then the other to connect the cylinders through lines 37, 38a to the source of pressure P and cause the operation of the cylinders alternately. This is an advantage in that it permits the cylinder to maintain the pressure on the shoe while the other cylinder is in retracted position while a porarily secure the wrapper in position. The shoe which shoe is being inserted therein.

While the invention is being described as employed in conjunction with a pair of shoes, it is to be understood, however, that if circumstances require, a single pressing unit having opposed pressing members movable toward and away from one another can be employed to operate on shoes one at a time. I have found that by maintaining the pressure on the shoe during the interval of time which is usually required to insert a second shoe into the other side of the station that the adhesive is forced into the interstices between the wrapper and the side edge of the shoe and the wrapper is securely bonded'to the edge of the sole for the full length thereof. 7

In order to accommodate shoes of various sizes and shapes, it is at present preferred to mount the pressing faces on removable pressure blocks 38 which are connected to the fixed center member 22 and to the side members 25, 26 by releasable fastening means and to provide interlocking means thereon to insure proper location of the pressure member in position. In the form of the invention herein illustrated, the pressure members are provided with a rib 39 on the back thereof which is adapted to engage a groove 40 in the side member and center member as shown in Fig. 4 to properly align the pressure blocks. Further, the far ends of the pressure blocks 38 are provided with holes 41 to be engaged by pins 42 fixedly carried by the center member and the side members, while the other ends of the pressure blocks are provided with holes 43 adapted to receive springactuated locking members for releasably securing the pressure blocks in position. The locking member on the side blocks, as shown in Fig. 2, comprises an elongate hook 44 which is normally spring pressed inwardly by spring 45 and which can be readily withdrawn to remove the end 44a of the hook from the hole 43 to release the pressure block as shown in Fig. 2. The center member is provided with a common locking member 46 for both of the pressure blocks secured thereto. This comprises a slide 47 having a pair of pins 48 mounted thereon adapted to engage the holes 43 in the end of the pressure blocks. The slide as shown in Fig. 3 is normally urged to projected position by spring 49 and is held in locked position by means of a plunger 50 normally urged outwardly by spring 51 and having a portion 52 adapted to engage in the enlarged part 53 of a keyhole slot 54 so that as the slide is pushed into locking position the plunger will be moved by spring 51 into the part 53 and automatically lock the slide in locked position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When it is desired to release the center pressure blocks it is merely necessary to push down the plunger 50 moving the portion 52 out of the enlarged part 53 of the slot and spring 49 automatically moves the pins 48 on the slide to released position of Fig. 2.

It is essential that the pressure members be quickly released and inserted for otherwise it will delay the processing of the shoes. I have found from actual experience that with the novel cooperating elements as shown in the drawings, a change of pressure blocks can be accomplished in approximately ten seconds, it being merely necessary to pull out the right and left hooks 44 and hit the plunger 50 to depress the same and the pressure members are all released. Similarly, when the new set of but insuflicient to prevent movement of the shoe laterally under the side pressure of the pressure applying means. For example, in one installation, the hold-down member applies approximately 30 pounds pressure whereas the pressure applying means on the side applies 140 pounds pressure.

In operation, it has been found desirable to have the hold-down member connected to the fluid line for cylinders 31 through a usual sequence valve (not shown) so that it operates prior to the operation of the side pressure members and is released when the side pressure members are released so as to facilitate the insertion and removal of the shoe.

pressure members are in place, it is merely necessary to put the blocks in place through the aid of the interlocking means 39, 40 and to move the side hooks 44 into the openings 43 and to push the center slide 47 and pins 48 into locked position.

If desired, hold-down means may be provided for engaging the top of the last 16 carrying the shoe to prevent it from being lifted from the base-as the pressure is applied to the sides of the resilient soles. While this may take many forms, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 it comprises a piston and cylinder means 55 carried by a post 56 having a hold-down member 57 connected to the piston rod 58 projecting therefrom and located to engage the top of the last substantially midway the length thereof. The cylinder is connected into the fluid operating system and the pressure therein is regulated by a pressure regulator valve PR so'as to apply a light pressure to the last which is suflicient to hold downthe shoe After the wrapper has been securely adhered to the side edges of the sole, means are provided for securely fastening the toe and heel portions of the wrapper. While this can be accomplished at the first station, as noted above, it is herein illustrated as being accomplished at a second station 60 shown at the right-hand end of the base in Fig. 1. The toe and heel securing means comprises a toe engaging portion which is herein illustrated as being a fixed member 6111 for the right and 61b for the left shoe. The heel pressing member is of the same construction for both right and left shoes and only one will be described. It comprises a piston and cylinder means 62 which is of the type shown for operating the side members 25, 26 wherein a normally retracted piston rod 63 carries a crosshead 64 on which is mounted a pair of heel pressing members 65, 66. As shown in the drawing, the heel pressing members are pivoted together at 67 and mounted on a spring pressed plunger 68. The other ends of the pressing members 65, 66 are connected by links 69, 69a to the crosshead. With this arrangement, as the piston rod moves the crosshead forwardly the back of the heel engages the pressure members adjacent the pivot 67 and stops the movement of the pressure members. Continued movement of the crosshead compresses the spring 68a on the plunger while the links move the forward ends of the pressure members about the pivot 67 and into engagement with the sides of the heel to apply sufficient pressure thereto to firmly adhere the wrapper. The pivoted pressure members will accommodate a large range of heel sizes. If desired, similar pivoted clamping members can be provided in lieu of the fixed toe member.

As is shown in Fig. 1, the toe and heel securing devices are mounted as a pair at the second station and the piston and cylinder means 62 connected thereto may be controlled by a similar control means to that shown in Fig. l for the side pressure members.

As shown in Fig. 7, a hold-down member 70 is provided for holding the shoe in position. This includes a piston and cylinder means 71 mounted on a post 71a and having the holddown member 70 connected to the end of the piston rod 72 and preferably disposed over the heel portion of the last. When the cylinder is energized, the hold-down member 70 applies a light pressure to the shoe to hold it in position while the pressure members apply a heavy pressure to the heel. For example, I employ a 25 pound pressure for the hold-down with a 60 pound pressure on the heel and toe pressing means.

The pressures which have been set forth by way of example herein are not to be construed as limiting and through the use of usual pressure regulating means it is understood that any desired pressure combinations can be employed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a simple and effective means for securely adhering the wrapper to the side edges of the shoe sole in an efiicient and expeditious manner whereby firmer adherence is achieved without decreasing the output of the machine' Variations and modifications may be made within the scope ofthe claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others. i i

I claim:

1. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the side edges of the soles of a pair of shoes, a base having means thereon for pressing the wrapper against the sides of the soles of a pair of shoes comprising a fixed center member having on each side thereof a resilient contoured pressing face extending for the full length thereof and shaped to engage the inside edges of the soles of a pair of shoes, side members disposed on each side of the center member in spaced parallel relation and having resilient contoured faces to engage the outside edges of the soles of said pair of shoes, and pressure applying means connected to each of said side members and operable in a plane perpendicular to said center member to cause the resilient pressing faces to uniformly press the wrapper against the sides of the soles and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the side edges of the sole for the 2. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of a shoe sole, a base having a means thereon for pressing the Wrapper into engagement with the side of the shoe sole comprising opposed parallel rigid pressure blocks having opposed unbroken contoured pressing faces shaped to engage the side edges of a shoe sole and extending for the full length thereof, said unbroken contoured faces having a resilient pressing surface thereon, and pressure applying means connected to at least one of said pressure blocks to move said blocks in parallel relation toward one another to uniformly press the wrapper against the sides of the shoe sole for the full length thereof and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the edge of the sole.

3. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of a shoesole, a base having a means thereon for pressing the wrapper into engagement with the side of the shoe sole comprising a fixed member, a side member disposed at one side of the fixed member in spaced parallel relation thereto, said fixed member and said side member each having a resilient contoured face thereon to engage the sides of said shoe sole for substantially the full length thereof, and a fluid pressure operator connected to said side member and operable in a plane perpendicular to said fixed member to cause said contoured faces to press against the Wrapper overlying the sides of a shoe to uniformly press l 6 a wrapper to the side edges of the soles of a pair of shoes, a base having means thereon for pressing the wrapper against the sides of the soles of a pair of shoes comprising a fixed center member having a pressure block detachably mounted on each side thereof and provided with a resilient contoured pressing face extending for the full length thereof and shaped to engage the inside edges of the sole of a pair of shoes, side members disposed on each side of the center member in spaced relation and having pressure blocks detachably secured thereto parallel said first named blocks and provided with resilient contoured faces to engage theeoutside edges of the soles of said pair of shoes, pressure applying means connected to each of said side members and operable in a plane perpendicular to said center member to cause the resilient faces of the pressure blocks to uniformly press the wrapper against the sides of the sole and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the side edges of the sole for the full length thereof, and means for sequentially operating each pressure applying means whereby the shoes can be inserted alternately into position while the pressure is maintained on the remaining shoe during said insertion operation to insure firm adherence of the wrapper.

6. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of a shoe sole, a base having a means thereonfor pressing the Wrapper into engagement with the side of the shoe sole comprising a fixed member, a side member disposed at one side of the fixed member in spaced relation thereto, said fixed member and said side member each having a pressure block detachably secured thereto and provided with a contoured face to engage the sides of said shoe sole, said pressure blocks having means for locating said blocks in position on the fixed and side members, and a fluid pressure operator the wrapper against the sides of the shoe sole for the full length thereof and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the side edges of the sole.

4. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of a shoe sole, a base having a means thereon for pressing the wrapper into engagement with the side of the shoe sole comprising a fixed member having a pressure block detachably mounted on a side thereof, said pressure block having a contoured pressing face extending for the full length thereof and shaped to engage the side of a shoe sole, a side member disposed at one side of the fixed member in spaced relation thereto and having a pressure block detachably secured thereto parallel said first named block and provided with a contoured face to engage the opposite side of said shoe, and a fluid pressure operator connected to said side member and operable in a plane perpendicular to said fixed member to cause said side member to move the pressure block secured thereto perpendicular to said first named pressure block to press against the edge of a shoe sole and to press the shoe sole against the pressure block carried by the fixed member and to uniformly press the wrapper against the edge of the shoe sole for the full length thereof and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the edge of the sole.

5. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of connected to said side member and operable in a plane perpendicular to said fixed member to cause said side member to move the pressure block secured thereto to press against the side of a shoe and to press the shoe against the pressure block carried by the fixed member and to uniformly press the wrapper against the side of the shoe sole for the full length thereof and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the edge of the sole.

.7. Ina machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of a sole of a shoe mounted on a last, a base having a means thereon for pressing the Wrapper into engagement with the side of the shoe sole comprising a fixed member, a side member disposed at one side of the fixed member in spaced relation thereto, said fixed member and said side member being substantially parallel and each having a resilient contoured face to engage the sides of said shoe sole, a pressure applying means connected to said side member and operable to cause said faces to uniformly press the wrapper against the side of the shoe sole for the full length thereof and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the edge of the sole, and means engaging the top of the last to hold the shoe from raising from the base when said pressure is applied to the sides of the sole.

8. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of a sole of a shoe mounted on a last, a base having a means thereon for pressing the Wrapper into engagement with the side of the shoe sole comprising a fixed. member, a side member disposed at one side of the fixed member in spaced relation thereto, said fixed member and said side member being substantially parallel and each having a resilient contoured face to engage the sides of said shoe sole, a fluid pressure operator connected to said side member and operable in a plane perpendicular to said fixed member to cause said faces to uniformly press the wrapper against the side of the shoe sole for the full length thereof and '7 to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper to be securely adhered to the edge of the sole, and means including a fluid pressure actuated hold-down member engaging the top of the last with a pressure less than the side pressure to hold the shoe from rising from the 'base when said side pressure is applied to the sides of the sole.

9. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the side edges of the soles of a pair of shoes, a base having a station thereon for pressing the Wrapper on the sides of the shoes, said station comprising a fixed center member having a pressure block detachably mounted on each side thereof, said pressure blocks having a contoured pressing face extending for the full length thereof and shaped to engage the inside edges of the sole of a pair of shoes and being connected to the center member by movable pin means normally urged to released position and latched in holding position, side members disposed on each side of the center member in spaced relation and having pressure blocks detachably secured thereto and provided with contoured faces to engage the outside edges of the soles of said pair of shoes, said blocks being connected to the side members by releasable pin means, and pressure applying means connected to each of said side members and operable in a plane perpendicular to said center member to cause said side members to move the pressure blocks secured thereto to press against the side edge of a shoe sole and to press the shoe against the pressure block carried by the fixed center member and to uniformly press the wrapper against the sides of the sole and to maintain said pressure thereon to cause said wrapper 'to be securely adhered to the side edges of the sole for the full length thereof.

10. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of the toe and heel portion of the sole of a shoe mounted on a last; a base having a pressing means for a shoe provided with a fixed toe engaging portion and a heel pressing member, said heel pressing member comprising a pair of pivotally connected pressing elements adapted to engage the sides of a heel and being spring mounted on a crosshead connected to a piston rod of a fluid operated piston and adapted when pressure is applied to the piston to cause the shoe to be pressed against said fixed toe engaging portion and said pivoted pressing elements to be moved 8 first against the back of the heel and then around the sides of the heel to press and maintain the wrapper in engagement'with the sides of the heel and toe portion of the sole to securely adhere the wrapper thereto, and means engaging the top of the last to prevent the shoe from rising from the base when the pressure is applied to the ed'ge of the'heel and toe to secure the wrapper thereto.

' 11. In a machine for securing an adhesive surface of a wrapper to the edges of the toe and heel portion of a shoe mounted on a last; a base having a pressing means -for a shoe provided with a fixed toe engaging portion and a fluid pressure operated heel pressing member, said heel pressing member comprising a pair of pivotally connected pressing elements adapted to engage each side of a heel, means extending from said pivotal connection for spring mounting said pressing elements on a crosshead, means extending from opposed ends of said elements for pivotally mounting the same on said crosshead, said crosshead being connected to a piston rod of a fluid operated piston and adapted when pressure is applied to the piston to cause the shoe to be pressed against said fixed toe engaging portion and said pivoted pressing elements to be moved first against the back of the heel and then around the sides of the heel to i press and maintain the wrapper in engagement with the sides of the heel and toe portion of the sole to securely adhere the wrapper thereto, and means including a fluid pressure operated hold-down member engaging the top of the last to prevent the shoe from rising from the base when the pressure is applied to the edge of the heel and toe to secure the wrapper thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

